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STUDENTS EXPRESS THANKS ON TUITION FREEDOM DAY

Cal U students will keep the
commonwealth’s taxpayers in mind as they celebrate Tuition Freedom Day on
Tuesday.

As part of the Cal U for Life
initiative, students will meet at 11:15 a.m. Feb 15 near the Kara Alumni
House, then parade to the Natali Student Center for a rally at 11:30 a.m.

Tuition Freedom Day is the mathematical
date when the tuition funds that students or their families paid for the
2010-2011 academic year are exhausted.

For the rest of the spring
semester, the education provided to Cal U students will be paid for by a
combination of state funding, appropriated through the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education, and privately funded scholarships.

Officially, Tuition Freedom Day
for Cal U students will fall on Feb. 17this
year.

“Although state appropriations
for public higher education are declining, Pennsylvania taxpayers ultimately
provide support for every student who attends a state-owned university,” said
Ryan Jerico, coordinator of student and young alumni activities.

“Awareness and appreciation are
a big part of the Cal U for Life initiative, so we are educating our students
about how their education is funded and urging them to show gratitude for the
financial help they are being given.”

In accordance with a resolution
passed unanimously by the Student Senate on Nov. 22, the Student Government
Association sent a letter of thanks last week to all members of the Pennsylvania
General Assembly. To thank taxpayers, a condensed version of the letter was
submitted to newspaper editors in western Pennsylvania and in Harrisburg.

“We could not have achieved this
dream without your financial support,” reads the letter, which was signed by
SGA president Bonnie Keener on behalf of the student body.

“Soon many of us will be
teachers, health-care professionals, business owners, technicians or other
productive members of the workforce. We also will be taxpayers, ‘paying it
forward’ to another generation of college students.

“Recognizing this, we sincerely
thank the General Assembly — and every Pennsylvania taxpayer — for investing in
our education.”

The letter will be posted on
the University website, along with the signatures of Cal U students who endorse
its message. Check back soon for a link to the letter.